Simmons Channels Baseball Mentality to Power Rebels’ Comeback at Kentucky
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football put a two in the win column Saturday after a gritty road win against Kentucky. The Rebels fell to a 10-0 deficit early behind two Austin Simmons interceptions. However, as he did in week 1, the new starting quarterback showed incredible steel to bounce back and help his team get the win.
Simmons’ Baseball Background Helps with Adversity
After being held scoreless in the first quarter, it was early in the second period that Ole Miss found itself 10 points down, with the offense on the Rebels’ own 44-yard line facing a 4th and 1.
A gutsy play call fooled Kentucky into thinking it was a run play, and Simmons hit Harrison Wallace III on a 55-yard pass down to the Wildcats ‘ 1-yard line. Kewan Lacy punched it in on the first attempt, cutting the Kentucky lead to 10-7 and changing the momentum of the game.
It was a pass that needed to be on the money from Simmons, and it sure was. It showed courage in the face of adversity from Simmons, something that his wide receiver Wallace believes the young quarterback, formerly a pitcher for the Rebels, has picked up from his baseball days.
“Honestly, if I had to say it, I think it would be his experience in baseball and just him being a pitcher. And that’s kind of just some things that they always have to worry about if they walk a batter or things like that, or give up a home run. So I really think it’s just his past baseball experience and just him being strong-minded.“
Harrison Wallace III on Austin Simmons’ overcoming adversity
Coach Kiffin also agreed that his young signal caller’s mentality could stem, in part at least, from baseball.
“He’s tough, man. I mean, he’s tough. You know, like, he’s so mature for his age. You’ve seen him go in and strike out what was the third pick of the draft in baseball as a freshman. I mean, then this guy goes in against Georgia and play the way that he did. He’s built different that way. And, I wish we would have protected him better early and, you know, I think he would have seen more efficiency early.“
Lane Kiffin on Austin Simmons
Simmons came out to the podium after the game, too, and was immediately asked about Wallace’s answer. The Florida native agreed, saying baseball’s bounce-back mentality has helped him on the football field.
“Yeah, I’ll definitely say that. You know, baseball really comes with a lot of adversity. So being able to bounce back from all those mistakes early on in the game and really just focus on just competing and just focus on the next play, that’s what really comes with it.”
Austin Simmons
Overcoming Adversity Could Help the Rebs Down the Line
It was an excellent win for the Rebels, one that demonstrated their ability to dig deep and persevere. Lane Kiffin referenced the home loss to Kentucky last season in which they failed to hold on to a close game. The Wildcats struck late, winning the game in Oxford in the final minutes. Simmons believes that the mentality to win in these games can help them later in the season.
“Oh yeah, for sure. Really seeing how this team responds to adversity and seeing how well we all stuck together, and really just still competed to the very end. It all came down to even like that field goal and them trying to do an onside kick. It all goes down to like those final moments in the SEC. So that’s what really makes this conference really amazing. And that’s what makes it really special. It all comes down to the final play.”
Austin Simmons
Next Up:
Simmons and the Rebels will face another SEC team next weekend in Arkansas. They may need to call on the experiences they have had in the first two games against the Razorbacks as Sam Pittman’s team dismantled Arkansas State, 56-14, Saturday. The Rebels and Hogs will be broadcast on ESPN. Kickoff is set for either 6:00 p.m. or 6:45 p.m. CT.
Jordan Merritt
Jordan is a freelance writer who covers sports, games, and more. A United Kingdom native, he covers everything Ole Miss for The Rebel Walk. He has written for several publications, including Athlon Sports, On SI, Fansided, and others. Away from writing, he loves spending time with his family and watching films and TV series.
